Sega extreme arcade gaming

Philip Wong | Nov 02, 2007

Picture this. You are strapped down in a full-scale Toyota Trueno, Subaru Impreza WRX or Mazda RX7, sweaty palms on steering wheel. Your eyes fixated on what's beyond the windscreen, desperately trying to "drift" your way through the narrow Japanese countryside roads. If all these sound all too familiar to you, yes, we are referring to the Japanese cult anime Initial D. Now Sega is redefining the arcade gaming experience with its Initial D Arcade Stage 4 Limited system.

This life-sized motion simulator has all three of the above-mentioned vehicles each lined up in front of a giant projection screen and installed with a moving platform. The level of detail is truly out of this world. Imagine real vehicle chassis, authentic racing wheels and even bucket seats! It's a pity some of the in-car instruments are non- functional, though we doubt it will be a major show-stopper for diehard manga fans.

Are you all fired up to give a shot? Well, first you have to buy yourself an air ticket to Tokyo, then head down to Sega Joypolis in Odaiba. Hats off to the Japanese for conjuring up the idea of an extreme arcade machine!

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